BOARD OF SKAMANIA COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
Meeting for Week of November 15, 2004
The meeting was called to order at 10:00 a.m. Monday, November 15, 2004 at the Commissioner’s Meeting Room, 240 NW Vancouver Avenue in Stevenson, with Commissioners McKee, Quinn and Talent present, opening with the Pledge of Allegiance.
Brent Holman, Public Works Director/County Engineer, reported on road maintenance activities, scheduled employee vacations, working on stockpile surveys, review of subdivisions and short plats, and the Drano Lake project.
Commissioner Quinn moved, seconded by Commissioner Talent and motion carried to approve the Consent Agenda, as follows:
A. Minutes of November 8, 2004.
B. Set public hearing for 1:30 PM Monday, November 29, 2004 to consider establishing a six-year comprehensive transportation improvement program for road & bridge construction work.
C. Acknowledge receipt of letters from Frances Heller; and Janice Hlavka & Phillip Kelly regarding annual Bluegrass Festival.
D. Acknowledge receipt of letter regarding West End Community Comprehensive Subarea Plan from Cliff Nutting; Dan Wear; and R Robert Burns & Dept of Fish & Wildlife.
E. Acknowledge receipt of 2005 project list & budget from Carson, Home Valley, Stabler Business Association.
F. Acknowledge receipt of letter from Ann Lueders, Stabler Community Council.
G. Liquor license renewal for American Legion Coy-Catlin Post 137.
Commissioner Talent moved, seconded by Commissioner Quinn and motion carried to award the bid to Bud Clary Chevrolet of Longview, WA in the amount of $31,321.22 for a prisoner transport vehicle for the Sheriff’s Department, replacing the current vehicle due to extensive needed repairs.
Commissioner Talent moved, seconded by Commissioner Quinn and motion carried to approve submission of two grant applications to the Department of Transportation for operation funding to continue the Dial-A-Ride program and the Public Transit program and for capital funding to replace two mini vans and two transit buses for Senior Services transportation programs.
Commissioner Talent moved, seconded by Commissioner Quinn and motion carried to approve an interlocal agreement with the Port of Skamania County to provide access for Port’s contractor to Blue Lake Pit and permission for removal of specified fill material for construction of Cascade Avenue boat ramp improvements.
Commissioner Talent moved, seconded by Commissioner Quinn and motion carried to approve an agreement with the Department of Social and Health Services to provide funding for random substance abuse testing to probation and diversion youth and for a Community Accountability Coordinator to facilitate Community Accountability Board meetings.
Commissioner Quinn moved, seconded by Commissioner Talent and motion carried to approve a special payroll for the Public Works Department.
Ole Helgerson, WSU Extension Agent, gave updates on the 4-H Program and Firewise Project, and reported on attendance at a meeting regarding online tracking for Title II and Title III projects and the Healthy Forests Restoration Act.
The meeting recessed at 11:10 a.m. Monday, November 15, 2004 and reconvened at 1:40 p.m. the same date, with Commissioners McKee, Quinn and Talent present.
The Board discussed the West End Community Comprehensive Subarea Plan with Karen Witherspoon, Planning and Community Development Director.
Commissioner Talent moved, seconded by Commissioner Quinn and motion carried to acknowledge receipt of letters from Robert M. Brown; Dan Wear; Rich Patton; R. Robert Burns; Bill Benson; and four citizen petitions regarding the West End Community Comprehensive Subarea Plan.
The meeting recessed at 2:20 p.m. Monday, November 15, 2004 and reconvened at 3:05 p.m. the same date, with Commissioners McKee, Quinn and Talent present.
The Board reviewed Equipment, Rental & Revolving Fund radio billing with Dave Cox, Undersheriff and Brent Holman, Public Works Director/County Engineer. Discussion included radio infrastructure, maintenance and replacement costs billed to users.
The meeting recessed at 4:05 p.m. Monday, November 15, 2004 and reconvened at 7:15 p.m. the same date, with Commissioners McKee, Quinn and Talent present.
A public hearing was held at Canyon Creek Middle School, 9731 Washougal River Road to receive public comment on the West End Community Comprehensive Subarea Plan and associated Plan Maps, as amended and recommended by the Planning Commission. Karen Witherspoon, Planning and Community Development Director, explained the hearing procedures and advised that in order for the County, as well as other agencies, to be eligible for funding, 2004 comprehensive plan updates must be adopted before December 1, 2004. She advised that all letters and petitions were reviewed and explained the Planning Commission’s recommendations. Letters were received at the hearing regarding the West End Community Comprehensive Subarea Plan from Danial Cates; Jerry Cates; Gerald Harteloo; Ray and Martha Gappmayer; Keith Brown and Teresa Robbins; Harvey Erickson; petition from Archie Rodgers; and a map from Dale Bajema. Comments from the public included both in favor and opposition to Neighborhood Commercial Zone, in favor of two acre and/or five acre zoning, concern for private property rights, support for Planning Commission’s recommendations, and requests to remain in current zone classification. Commissioner Quinn moved, seconded by Commissioner Talent and motion carried to close the hearing to verbal public comment, allow written comments to be received through Thursday, November 18, 2004 and continue the hearing until Monday, November 22, 2004 at 7:00 p.m. at Canyon Creek Middle School for deliberations for Plan adoption.
The meeting recessed at 9:05 p.m. Monday, November 15, 2004 and reconvened at 9:00 a.m. Tuesday, November 16, 2004, with Commissioners McKee, Quinn and Talent present.
The Board met in executive session from 9:00 a.m. until 9:50 a.m. regarding personnel, with no action taken.
The meeting recessed at 9:50 a.m. Tuesday, November 16, 2004 and reconvened at 10:00 a.m. the same date, with Commissioners McKee, Quinn and Talent present.
Scott Pineo, Community Events and Recreation Director, gave updates on recreation programs, the Teen Adventure Program, introduced Renee Hanks, recently hired for the DASA/Teen Adventure Coordinator position, Fairgrounds activities, swim center activities, Rock Creek Center activities, and parks and boat launches.
Karen Witherspoon, Planning and Community Development Director, reported on upcoming meetings for Water Resource Inventory Area (WRIA) 27/28, WRIA 29, and the Columbia River Gorge Commission. Discussion also included the continued hearing for adoption of the West End Community Comprehensive Subarea Plan.
Commissioner Quinn moved, seconded by Commissioner Talent and motion carried to acknowledge receipt of letters regarding the West End Community Comprehensive Subarea Plan from Margaret Bloomquist; Harvey Erickson; and Liz LaRue.
The Board discussed Equipment, Rental and Revolving Fund radio billing with Bob Hildenbrand, Fire District #1; Brian Nichols, Emergency Medical Services; Dave Cox, Undersheriff; and Brent Holman, Public Works Director/County Engineer. Discussion included radio infrastructure, maintenance and replacement costs billed to users, billings not paid by some emergency services agencies, and an ongoing interlocal cooperation agreement with Skamania County and various local emergency services agencies within Skamania County for use of Fire District #1’s emergency services radio frequency. Suggested options included research funding from Title III and Homeland Security for radio costs, encourage tax base from other entities, hold Fire District #1 harmless from nonpayment by other entities, and draft a new interlocal agreement. The Board advised they would discuss options at a workshop at 1:30 p.m. on November 23, 2004.
The Board discussed billings sent to local fire districts for fire investigator fees and the need to address budgeting for qualified fire investigators. The Board advised they would discuss this matter at a workshop at 1:30 p.m. on November 23, 2004.
The meeting recessed at 12:25 p.m. Tuesday, November 16, 2004 and reconvened at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, November 18, 2004, with Commissioners McKee, Quinn and Talent present.
Commissioner Quinn moved, seconded by Commissioner Talent and motion carried to approve vouchers for the period ending November 18, 2004 in the amount of $55,308.67.
Larry Mulcihy, Safety Committee Chair, reported on accidents and incidents. Commissioner Quinn moved, seconded by Commissioner Talent and motion carried to concur with the assessments and recommendations of the Safety Committee.
The meeting recessed at 12:25 p.m. Tuesday, November 16, 2004 and reconvened at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, November 18, 2004, with Commissioners McKee, Quinn and Talent present.
John Crumpacker gave an update on an environmental assessment report pursuant to the Purchase and Sale Agreement for tax parcel 02-07-02-0-0-3100 located on Rock Creek Drive. He advised of the need for a 120-day extension for closing the sale to allow sufficient time to obtain necessary approvals from other agencies to construct handicapped assessable apartments.
Commissioner Quinn moved, seconded by Commissioner Talent and motion carried to acknowledge receipt of letters regarding the West End Community Comprehensive Subarea Plan from R. Robert Burns; Keith Brown and Teresa Robbins; Leo and Linda Erickson; Archie Rodgers; Wil Niosi and Jim Hutchison; and Jeffrey Rapp.
Commissioner Talent moved, seconded by Commissioner Quinn and motion carried to ratify the approval and submission of a letter to Bengt Coffin, Hemlock Dam Team Leader, regarding Skamania County’s comments on the US Forest Service Draft Environmental Impact Statement for Fish Passage and Aquatic Restoration at Hemlock Dam.
Auditor Mike Garvison presented a plan for a remodel of the Auditor’s Office to allow for disabled voter access, to be paid from the Help America Voters Act. No decisions were made at this time.
The Board participated in a staff workshop to discuss the 2005 budget, with no action taken.
The meeting recessed at 12:10 p.m. Thursday, November 18, 2004 and reconvened at 1:00 p.m. the same date, with Commissioners McKee, Quinn and Talent present.
The Board participated in a workshop with Skamania County Mobilization Against Substance Abuse Council (CMASA) to discuss prevention services.
The meeting adjourned at 2:50 p.m. Thursday, November 18, 2004.
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
SKAMANIA COUNTY, WASHINGTON